False Narratives Behind the Land Border Closure

Tofiq Yaqublu, member of Musavat Party and the National Council of Democratic Forces, writes from prison:

“Regime-appointed puppets-deputies, ‘experts’ and media personalities-are celebrating the closure of our land borders, citing the Israel‑Iran war as proof of President Aliyev’s foresight. This absurd and unjust decision has turned the lives of millions, including our diaspora in neighboring countries, into a nightmare-incurring high expenses, lost time, and in some tragic cases, even fatalities. Praising this move is not wisdom; it’s shamelessness.”

He draws parallels with the misleading arguments used after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:

• If land borders had remained open, they claimed, refugee inflows would overwhelm Azerbaijan.
• But in reality, countries like Georgia and Kazakhstan stayed open, welcomed refugees, and even benefited economically.

Yaqublu argues that the government’s narrative-that land borders remain closed due to foreign threats-is baseless:

• Azerbaijan continues to operate air and sea borders with full customs and security controls, making the “spy-sneaking” claim implausible.
• If border surveillance works at airports and seaports, why not at land crossings?

He highlights the severe consequences for citizens:

1. Cross-border family and social ties shattered: Neighbors in twin villages separated by the border now endure lengthy travel routes involving flights and immigration checkpoints-where once a short walk sufficed.
2. Blocking essential medical access: Patients who previously sought affordable, quality healthcare in Georgia or Iran now face high airfares or rely on expensive, oligarch‑owned clinics at home.
3. Inflated tourism and transport costs: With land routes closed, citizens are forced into expensive domestic travel and staycations, benefitting the ruling elite at the expense of ordinary families.
4. Crushing private trade: Small-scale cross-border traders who supplied low-cost essentials are now sidelined, funneling demand into state-linked retail chains.

Yaqublu concludes:

“The land border closure wasn’t about security-it’s a calculated scheme for profit by the ruling elite. The true trigger hasn’t changed: control and enrichment. Once the Georgia-bound ‘Silk Way’ highway is complete and cut for an inauguration, they’ll claim all threats have magically vanished-and reopen the borders.”